A jet fighter that NYC was relieved to see

December 13, 2010, 9:38PM

12/13/2010

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If you're in a right spot later this morning you may catch a glimpse of an F-15 Eagle combat jet piggybacking a big truck.

The retired, partially disassembled warplane is the 9/11 "First Responder," the first military aircraft to arrive over Manhattan on the Sept. 11 morning nine years ago when hijacked jetliners struck the World Trade Center.

The F-15 that's on the truck and a second one arrived over NYC too late for the pilots to confront the terrible prospect of having to shoot down airliners filled with civilians, but their presence was greatly reassuring to New Yorkers who feared that other hijacked planes might be coming.

The trailered F-15 is bound for the Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM) at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. Its arrival will be greeted by historic aircraft enthusiasts who are setting out to raise $250,000 to restore the fighter and place it in a museum-quality exhibit on the grounds of the airport.

Members of the aircraft museum (pacificcoastairmuseum.org) intend to make the jet the imposing centerpiece of a new display that honors all who perished on 9/11 and all who rushed in to attempt to save lives.

The F-15, which for the moment is not wearing its wings or vertical stabilizer, is scheduled to arrive at the airport at 10:30 a.m.

BRENDAN ON YOUTUBE: Some of the best amateur and part-time musicians on Earth — including Cotati sax player Brendan Buss — are holding their breaths until they learn if they'll be picked for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra that in March will perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Brendan, who's 29 and a 1999 grad of Santa Rosa High and SSU, is among 17 finalists for a spot as a featured soloist in the Australia performance, to be directed by Michael Tilson Thomas. Brendan plays locally in several bands, including the Pat Jordan Band.

There's a poll going on at YouTube (youtube.com/user/symphony) and Brendan would dig it if you'd vote for him — by Wednesday. Click "Vote Now" and under "Rhythmic Improvisation" you'll find Brendan, the dark-bearded sax man in the cool blue shirt.

HOW MUCH COULD SHE MIND if on occasion a connoisseur of persimmons were to pluck a Fuji from Kathy Emery's front-yard tree in Santa Rosa's Town and Country neighborhood?

But Emery is downhearted and hoping it was a fluke of human nature when the other night somebody pruned her tree and left her how many persimmons?

Not.

Even.

One.

THREE STRONG WOMEN were present the other day for the dedication of a new workroom at the Sonoma County Hall of Justice.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced it will be called The Mason Keyston Salcido Community Room.

On hand for the dedication ceremony were Jill Mason, Joann Keyston and Carmina Salcido.

Mason is the former cyclist — now a speaker and author — who was partially paralyzed and her boyfriend killed when car driven by drunken driver hit them on Easter in 2004. Carmina is the author who wasn't yet 3 when her father, Ramon Salcido, slashed her throat and killed most of her family in 1989. Joann is an advocate who urges the criminal-justice system not to forget the victims of elder abuse.

Joann, a retired school administrator, liked the new room and was in awe of her two fellow honorees.

"I'm just your basic person," she said. "I felt really humbled to be in the presence of these two heroic women."

If you're in a right spot later this morning you may catch a glimpse of an F-15 Eagle combat jet piggybacking a big truck.

The retired, partially disassembled warplane is the 9/11 "First Responder," the first military aircraft to arrive over Manhattan on the Sept. 11 morning nine years ago when hijacked jetliners struck the World Trade Center.

The F-15 that's on the truck and a second one arrived over NYC too late for the pilots to confront the terrible prospect of having to shoot down airliners filled with civilians, but their presence was greatly reassuring to New Yorkers who feared that other hijacked planes might be coming.

The trailered F-15 is bound for the Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM) at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. Its arrival will be greeted by historic aircraft enthusiasts who are setting out to raise $250,000 to restore the fighter and place it in a museum-quality exhibit on the grounds of the airport.

Members of the aircraft museum (pacificcoastairmuseum.org) intend to make the jet the imposing centerpiece of a new display that honors all who perished on 9/11 and all who rushed in to attempt to save lives.

The F-15, which for the moment is not wearing its wings or vertical stabilizer, is scheduled to arrive at the airport at 10:30 a.m.

BRENDAN ON YOUTUBE: Some of the best amateur and part-time musicians on Earth — including Cotati sax player Brendan Buss — are holding their breaths until they learn if they'll be picked for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra that in March will perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Brendan, who's 29 and a 1999 grad of Santa Rosa High and SSU, is among 17 finalists for a spot as a featured soloist in the Australia performance, to be directed by Michael Tilson Thomas. Brendan plays locally in several bands, including the Pat Jordan Band.

There's a poll going on at YouTube (youtube.com/user/symphony) and Brendan would dig it if you'd vote for him — by Wednesday. Click "Vote Now" and under "Rhythmic Improvisation" you'll find Brendan, the dark-bearded sax man in the cool blue shirt.

HOW MUCH COULD SHE MIND if on occasion a connoisseur of persimmons were to pluck a Fuji from Kathy Emery's front-yard tree in Santa Rosa's Town and Country neighborhood?

But Emery is downhearted and hoping it was a fluke of human nature when the other night somebody pruned her tree and left her how many persimmons?

Not.

Even.

One.

THREE STRONG WOMEN were present the other day for the dedication of a new workroom at the Sonoma County Hall of Justice.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced it will be called The Mason Keyston Salcido Community Room.

On hand for the dedication ceremony were Jill Mason, Joann Keyston and Carmina Salcido.

Mason is the former cyclist — now a speaker and author — who was partially paralyzed and her boyfriend killed when car driven by drunken driver hit them on Easter in 2004. Carmina is the author who wasn't yet 3 when her father, Ramon Salcido, slashed her throat and killed most of her family in 1989. Joann is an advocate who urges the criminal-justice system not to forget the victims of elder abuse.

Joann, a retired school administrator, liked the new room and was in awe of her two fellow honorees.

"I'm just your basic person," she said. "I felt really humbled to be in the presence of these two heroic women."